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Fauntleroy Project Impact in the Face of Sound Transit Plans

January 31, 2018

Update from Seattle Department of Transportation

As you know, we’ve been coordinating with Sound Transit for some time regarding their plans to extend light rail to West Seattle. Sound Transit is still in the early stages of design, but their current proposal includes an elevated rail line on Fauntleroy Way. If built after the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project, there is the possibility that most of the Fauntleroy improvements would need to be removed. Since Sound Transit won’t choose their preferred light rail alignment until mid-2019 at the earliest, we’re putting construction on hold to avoid putting Fauntleroy Way under construction twice in such a short period of time.

As you know, we heard community concerns about potentially having to deal with major construction twice in such a short amount of time and about prudent use of taxpayer dollars. We’ve also continued to hear support for the goals of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project. West Seattle has multiple paving and transit priorities, and we will reallocate Fauntleroy Boulevard Project funds to address the community’s needs.

Sound Transit is still in the early stages of design for light rail to West Seattle. Sound Transit anticipates choosing a preferred alignment by mid-2019. Last month, the City announced plans to work closely with Sound Transit over the next 18 months to identify a preferred route for the light rail tracks and stations to the West Seattle Junction.